Gymnasium apparatus



June 27, 1933.

C. L. LOWMAN GYMNASIUM APPARATUSV Filed MayY 21. 1931 2 Sheets-sheet 1 FIEL INVENTQR Cl.. L owMMx| BYf @M4/@MMM ATTORNEYS www1 June 27, 1933.. c. l.. L oWMAN GYMNAS IUM APPARATUS Filed May 2l, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR CL. LOWMAN PIE. E.

ATTORNEYS Patented .lune 27, 1933 earner CHARLES L. LOWMAN, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA GYMNASIUM APPARATUS Application led May 21,

This invention relates to gymnasium apparatus. l

An obj-ect of the invention is to provide a gymnastic plinth or exercising table adapted to be used within an aquatic pool in such position that a person may be partially supported upon the table and partially floating within the water of the pool.

A further object is to provide various ady justments whereby the aquatic plinth may be mounted at any one of several possible psitions in the pool, or ladjusted to vary the inclination of the plinth, thereby making it possible to support only those portions of the body which it is necessary to support in order to provide the desired fixation for the particular exercise or treatment being administered to a particular body segment.

Another object is to providemeans for j, adjusting` the plinth so as to vary its position with respect to the surface of the water, whereby the person receiving treatment may be more or less nearly completely immersed, depending upon the circumstances of' the particular case.

Another object is to provide an adjustable aquatic plinth as described, which is also provided with means adapted to be grasped by a hand or the hands of a person in any j one of a plurality of possible positions,

thereby also assisting in attaining the desired fixation and localization of muscle action. y

The invention possesses other objects and dvantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part ofthe specification.

Referring to the drawings: i Fig. l is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through an aquatic pool and showing a plinth 4embodying the principles of the present invention operatively mounted therein.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated upon Fig. l. y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view ofthe upper or head end of the plinth and the sup` i931. serial No. 538,996.

porting' standard upon which it is mounted.` This view may beconsidered as a horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the line 3 3 of Fig. l, with the direction of View as indicated.

F ig. 4 is a view in side elevation, the direction of view being indicated by the arrow i of Fig. 3. Portions of the figure are broken away to reduce its length.

'Fig 5 is an enlargedtransverse sectional view taken substantially upon the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, with the direction of view as indicated.

It is well known in the art to which this invention appertains that hydrogymnastics are frequently of great benefit in corrective procedure, and the present invention contemplates the provision of a piece of hydrogymnastic apparatus whereby full advantage may be taken of the benefit which may be derived from the treatment in pools 0f p0s tural faults and physical handicaps.

The chief values of pool treatmentand exercises are:

.First, the use of water exercises allows the body to be supported in the horizontal plane without weight on the joints of spine, pelvis and legs, thus neutralizing the force of gravity in its influence on posture. Hence, the exaggerated curves of the spine in faulty postural conditions tend to straighten out into an improved alinement. The muscular activity in the form of specialized movements or gymnastic exercise can take place with greater range and force with a reduced load and in any plane. rlhis makes for correc tion of faulty position and weakened muscles, and improvement of organic tone in the internal organs. n

Secondly, the greater ease and freedom of movement makes thisa modality suitable for use in cases of neuritic or painful. conditions of joints and muscles, resulting from the fact that the limb or limbs being exercised are supported throughout their entire length as a result of the buoyancy in the water, thereby permit-ting the movement of the limbs without having to exert any muscularie'lfort in supporting their Weight. This allows better handling-'of patients suiiiering from such preferred modification of which is illustrated painful joints` and allows easier development and correction of faulty and weakened muscles, these being among the benefits of this f type of treatment.

Thirdly, pool treatment forms an excellent physiotherapeutic means for following of post-operation procedures such astendon and joint plastic surgery after fractures and under circumstances of direct injuryto the back and limbs when it is desired to hasten re-` turn of function and stimulate the repair of tissue structure. In such cases the pain and muscle spasm caused merely by support ing the weight of the injured part may be so intense that it is impossible for the person to perform `any tvpev of exercise or movements as early after the injury or operation as is desired. The gravity load being' removed in. the water, certain degrees of movement 1n thev l of interest and enjoyment, and a decrease of apprehension and fear of movement, whereby the utmost in cooperation lbetween the patient and Vsupervising physician or technician l is possible.A j

Although itv has been realized that these.

benefits may be gained in the treatment of such cases, with the patient or personpartially submerged, the lack of suitable equipment has seriously deterred the development of this type of corrective exercise, and it is with this idea in mind that the device of the present invention has been developed.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a plinth or` gymnastic table, the

upon the drawings and indicated in its en-` tirety at 6. This plinth 6 comprises aboard v7 adapted to be mounted preferably in anyv one of a plurality of possible positions within an aquatic pool8. 7;' V'Vhereas the word board has been employed in order to describe the supporting surface of the plinth, it should be here eX- .e plained thatvthe word is not used in a limiting sense, inasmuch as it relates neither to the material of whichthe supporting surface of the plinth is composed, norto its general configuration. In its broad conception, the only requirement vis that a surface be provided uponwhich the entire Vtrunk or merely the head and shoulders of a person maybe sup* ported, with the remainderof theA persons body float-ing in the water 9 of the pool 8. The details of construction tol be described hereinbelow merely afford added convenience inthe use of a plinth embodying this broad conception. j n.

Whereas any type of Ysupport forthe plinth 6 may be used, I prefer that a plurality of the sockets 11, so as to position the plinth at any desired location within the pool r8. The standard 14 comprises a suitable length of tubing, preferably of non-rusting andy noncorrodible material, the lower end 16 of which may be secured within any one of the sockets 11 and the. upper end 17 of which is provided with a cap 18 having a dependent fiange or `pin 195adapted to be received within a suitable socket 21 provided in a bracket 22 rigid with the associated side wall 13 above the lected socket 11. Hence the standard 14 is supported with suflicient rigidity, even though it is readily removable so as to permit its being mountedin any selected position within the pool.

A collar 26 is slidably mounted upon the standard 14, this collar having a split 27 therein and a lug 28 extending therefrom on each side of the split 27, so that by tightening a bolt 29 which interconnects the two, lugs 28, the collar 26 may be clamped to the standard 14 at selected'elevation. Preferably, a slidable pin 31 is provided upon the head end of the bolt 29, so as to facilitate its manipulation. The lugs 28 also accommodate a pivot pin 32 which extends therebetween, and which also extends through a projecting lug 36 which is rigid with the upper or head end of the board 7, thereby pivotally mounting the board 7 upon the vertically adjustable collar 26.

Preferably, the board 7 comprises a metal plate 37, to which the lug 36 is rigidly secured, and a beam 38 extending therefrom in position to support a plank 39, which preferably isA of wood and of such length that when a patients headrests adjacent the upper end thereof the lower end of the plank 39 will extend to a position just below the patients hips, lea-ving his legs to float in the water 9. The plank 39 may also be secured to the plate 37 by means of a plurality of screws 41.

.Afsecond collar 42 is also slidably mounted upon the standard 14, and is connected to t-he upper collar 26 by means of a rod or link 43, the lower end of which is rigid with the collar 42 and the upper end of which extends slidably through a laterally extending boss 44 on the upper collar 26. T ie link 43 is provided with a plurality of holes 46 therethrough, within any one of which a locking pin 47 maybe received, this pin 47 also ex# tending through the boss 44 so as to lock the link 43 in selected position with respect to the upper ,collar 26, thereby rigidly retaining the two collars 26 and 42 at selected distance from each other. A brace 48 is pivoted at its lower end to the collar 42 and at its upper end to the beam38.y Consequently, the

j through the notch or notches 6l.

, each side of the board 7 from adjacent the upper or head end thereof. Each of these rods is pivotally mounted by means of a suitable pivot pin 52 to the plate 37, which is provided with a series of holes 53 arranged in an arc about the axis of the pivot pin 52 as a center. Hence, lan anchoring pin 54 which extends through each of the rods l, may be seated in any one of the holes 53 to retain the associated rod 51 in selected degree of angularity with respect to the longitudinal axis of the board 7. Each of the rods 5l is provided with a plurality of pins 5G which extend through the rod 5l, so as to project both above and below it. Accordingly, a person lying prone upon the board 7 may assume a comfortable position with each hand grasping that portion 58 of one of the pins 56 which extends downwards from its associated rod 51, whereas if the person is lying in su'pine position he may grasp those portions 59 of two pins 56 which extend upwards from their respective rods'l. Of course, the rods 51 may themselves be grasped, depending upon the particular position assumed by the person treated, and also upon whether or not his arm or arms are in either flexed or extended position. Owing to the large number of pins 56 provided' at different distances from the head end of the board 7 and also to the adjustability of the rods 51, adequate fixation of the shoulder girdle may be attained with the person in substantially anv position upon the plinth, and also irrespective of the existence or extent of any flexion of the patients arm or arms. f

I also prefer to provide a notch 6l in each side edge of the board 7 and suitablyT spaced from the head end thereof to permit the arm and/or arms of a person lying prone upon the board 7 to hang straight downwards desirable for certain arm exercises, for example, in moving the hand in a circular path with the arm held perfectly straight. However, inasmuch as the notches are employed only occasionally, 'I have also provided plates 62 complementary to the notches 61, and adapted to be removably retained therein by any suitable fastening means,'such as a pin 63 extending through each of the plates 62 and adapted to have its inner end engaged by a spring clip 64. The plates G2 may either be completely removable from the board 7 or hinged thereto by means of This is swung downwards to hang ,vertically from the inneredges of the notches 61.

Operation The person to receive treatment and/0r exercise assumes his position upon, or isplaced by an attendant upon the board 7, which previously has been adjusted to the proper elevation and inclination with respect to the vertical. In some cases the entire torso should be supported with arms and legs fioating in the water 9. This type of support assures fixation of both the shoulder girdle and the pelvic girdle, thereby permitting .exercise of the patients ylegs in any desired manner. However, it Vmay be desired to support only the patients head and shoulders, so as to permit exercise of different muscles, both in the legs and in the trunk.

Under such circumstances, the board 7 should be at a greater inclination, so that when the shoulders and head are resting upon the upper end of the board, the remainder of the body will be clear of the board and supported solely in the lwat-er 9.

Owing to the natural buoyancy of the limbs in the water, the person does not have to support their weight, and consequently the only muscular effort which he must make in order to move his limbs is that which is nec-A essary to produce their motion against the resistance offered by the water itself, and inasmuch as this resistance is known and constant, an accurate check upon the amount of muscular effort required for any given movement, may be kept. Because of the fact that an injured limb is naturally buoyant in the water, no pain is caused a patient as a result of his having to sustain its weight, Therefore, he has a great deal more confidence, and will move the injured limb through a greater distance, effecting more complete exercise of the muscles than would be the case if it were necessary tosupport the weight of the limb also. ln some cases only a very slight amount of muscular eii'ort can be made by the patient, and here the attendant will move the injured limb downwards to a greater depth within the water, and then require the patient to raise the limb, which tends to float on account of its inherent buoyancy in the water, even if the patient is unable to exert any muscular effort. This has a decidedly encouraging effect upon the patient, who is able to actually see the limb performing the desired movement, apparently as a result of his own personal effort, and he is accordingly encouraged to exert greater effort on the next trial. This psychological effect upon the patient has been found to be of the utmost advantage in the treatment of patients having badly injured or deformed limbs and patients more or less subject to discouragement.

Another advantage Iof `pool treatment vlies in .the possibilitygof movement of the persons limb orlimbs in moreplanesthan is possible outside the pool, for example, in the case of a person requiring exercise of a leg in order to re-traink the muscles following an injury or operation. Owing to the difficulty of moving the limb and the'pain coincident Witheven slight movement thereof, when it is necessary to support the limbs entire lweight the patient usually is unable to move the limb other than merely to lift it slightly from the surface upon which he vis lying. However, with the limbs Weight supported inthe water 9, much more extensive movement of the limb is possible without discomfort tothe patient, and also he can move it in substantially any direction, i. e., in a horizontal plane and also in oblique` planes, as Wellas in a vertical plane.

1; Consequently, the hydrogymnastic plinth hereinabove described makes it' possible to take advantage of many benefits to be gained by sub-aqueous treatment, andowing to the wide range of Vpossible adjustments of Vthe device substantially any set ofcircumstances can be satisfied so as to support the patient in exactly the right position and with the exact desired fixation in order to attain exercise of the propenmuscles and/or movement of the proper joints.1

It is to be understood thatthe details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within Jthe spirit or scope' of the appended claims; I Y. f

Iclaim:

l. As a piece of hydrogymnastic apparatus, asubmersible plinth comprising a board adapted to support the torso of a person receiving treatment, means for mounting said plinth Within an aquatic pool, said board being pivoted to said supporting means for adjustment about a horizontal axis, and means for fastening said board at aselected angularity with respect to the vertical.

2. As a piece of hydrogymnasticapparatus, a submersible plinth comprising a board adapted to support the torso of a person receiving treatment, means for mounting said plinth within an aquatic pool, said board being pivoted adjacent one end to saidsupporting means for adjustment about a horiyzontal axis, means for fastening said board the upper end of said boardv adapted to beY grasped by a hand of a person on said board. 4. In combination with an aquatic pool, a

plinth comprising a board, means for mounting said board'in an inclined position with its upper end adjacent the surface of the water of said pool, a bar extending laterally Vfrom adjacent said upper end, and a plurality of pins rigid with said bar and extending therefrom in position to be grasped by a hand of a person on said board,

5. In combination with an aquatic pool, a plinth comprising a board, means for mounting said board in an inclined position with its upper end adjacent the surface of the water of said pool, a pivotall mounted bar extending laterally from adjacent said upper end of said board and adapted to be grasped by a hand of a person on said board, and means for fastening said bar in a selected degree of angularity with the longitudinal axis of said board.

6. In combination with anaquatic pool, a plinth comprising a board, means for mounting said board in an inclined position with its upper end adjacent the surface of the water of said pool, a bar extending laterally from each side of saidboard adjacent the upper end thereof, and a plurality of pins rigid with each of said bars and extending therefrom in position to be grasped by the hands of a erson on said board.

7. s a piece of hydrogymnastic apparatus, a submersible plinth comprising a board adapted to support the torso of a person receiving treatment, and means for mounting said plinth within an aquatic pool, said board having a notch in a side edge thereof in position to accommodate an arm of said person vwith said arm extending downwards through said notch. Y

8. As a piece of hydrogymnastic apparatus, a submersible plinth comprising a board adapted to support the torso of a person receiving treatment, means for mounting said plinth within an aquatic pool, said board having a notch in a side edge thereof in position to accommodate an arm of said person with said arm extending downwards through said notch, a plate complementary to said notch and removably receivable therein, and releasable means for fastening said plate within said notch. j

9. A hydrogymnastic apparatus comprising a standard adapted to be removably mountedV at its lower end in the iioor of an aquatic pool, a collar slidable on said standard, means for clamping said collar in a selected position upon said standard, a board pivotally connected at one end to said collar for adjustment about a horizontal axis, and means for supporting the other end of said board with the board at a selected inclination and in fixed relation to the vertical.

10. A hydrogymnastic apparatus comprising a standard adapted to be removably mounted at its ylower end in the floor of an aquatic pool, means for relea'sably connect- "l ing` the upper end of said standard to a Wall of said pool, a collar slidable on said standard, means for clamping said collar in a sel-ected position upon said standard, a board pivotally connected at'one end to said col'- lar for adjustment about a horizontal aXis and in fixed relation thereto, and means for supporting` the other end of said board With the board at a selected inclination to the Vertical.

ll. A hydrogymnastic apparatus comprising a standard adapted to be removably Y mounted at its lower end in the floor of an aquatic pool, a collar slidable on said standard, means for clamping said collar in a selected lposition upon said standard, a board pivotally connected at one end to said collar for adjustment about a horizontal axis and in fixed relation thereto, a second collar slidable upon said standard, a brace piyoted to said second collar and to saidboard, a link fastened to one or said collars, and means for fastening said link to the other collar to hold said board in a selected degree of angularity with the vertical.

l2. As a piece of hydrogymnastic apparatus, a submersible plinth comprising a board having a plane upper surface through its entire length, means for mounting said board in an inclined iiXed position in an aquatic pool to support optionally the head and shoulders or the entire torso of a person on said surface While permitting the legs to float in the pool, and means mounted on Said plinth to be grasped for support by the hand of the person under treatment. Y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES L. LOWMAN. 

